Despite missing most of the 2012 season with concussion symptoms, Colorado Rapids captain Pablo Mastroeni on Thursday signed a contract and intends to return to the MLS club in 2013.

Mastroeni, a center midfielder, started the Rapids' first two games in mid-March, but hasn't played since. He was injured initially in an October 2011 match against Real Salt Lake.

"I was never fully recovered from that injury itself," Mastroeni said via the club website. "Multiple knocks, once in preseason and once in the first game (this year), kind of exacerbated some of those symptoms to the point where I wasn't sleeping well, functioning well, off the field let alone on the field.

"The plan with the medical staff and the club was to take as much time as needed to overcome all the symptoms to the fullest and make sure I was clear headed. Unfortunately for me, it took a whole year to do that."

Mastroeni returned to practice gradually and said that toward season's end he was able to play without physical symptoms or fear and realized he would be able to return.

"Pablo is our captain and a true leader on the field and in the locker room," Rapids technical director Paul Bravo said. "We missed him last season and know how much his presence can help us, whether it's directing play in a match or helping players develop their knowledge of the game during practice.

"We're very excited that he's decided to continue playing with the club into 2013."

Mastroeni, 36, is the club's all-time leader in games played and led the Rapids to their first and only MLS championship two years ago. He has played 65 times for the U.S. national team, appeared in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and was part of the squad that won the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2005 and 2007.

Colorado was 11-19-4 last season and finished seventh in the Western Conference under first-year coach Oscar Pareja. Mastroeni says the team is on the right track.

"I wouldn't ever take part in something that I didn't think could win, or be successful. I hold myself to that level," he said Thursday. "I think sports is one of those professions where you have to love what you do for a living. I think the majority of the guys out there really love soccer and love the opportunity to display their skills and do it with a bunch of guys that are moving in the same direction.

"I've always felt like just a part of the pack. I've never felt like I've been outside or the guy in front, the guy at the top. I've always felt like I was just one of the guys. After experiencing the loneliness of not having that this year, the driving force is to be part of that pack again and just to help move that thing forward and bring belief and confidence and leadership and understand that if we pull in the same direction, there's no doubt in my mind we can make the playoffs and beyond."